Entry No. 31 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: observatory
Jackson Middle School Observatory
One of the only middle schools in the country with its own fully rotational rooftop observatory dome, housing a powerful 14-inch Meade telescope. The passionate coordinator even built a custom 'relay scope' so wheelchair users can view the stars without climbing stairs.
The story
Most astronomical observatories sit isolated on mountain peaks or tucked deep into university research complexes. Champlin put theirs on top of a public middle school. Jackson Middle School, part of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, operates a fully rotational rooftop dome centered around a heavy-duty 14-inch Meade telescope—a piece of serious optical kit you do not expect to find attached to an 11-to-14-year-old magnet school curriculum.
The real draw here isn't just the glass; it's the custom ingenuity. Recognizing that a narrow stairwell leading up into a rooftop dome locks out visitors with mobility needs, the observatory coordinator built a custom 'relay scope' system. It routes the visual feed down so wheelchair users can stargaze alongside everyone else. Combined with modern additions like their GeoDome digital portal, the space functions less like a suburban science lab and more like a quiet neighborhood window into deep space.
What it's like
You'll park in a quiet suburban school lot and head inside for a quick tutorial on reading star maps in a classroom before making your way up toward the roof. The twice-monthly public nights get you direct access to the 14-inch Meade eyepiece; steady your hand (or smartphone) against the lens to capture crisp snapshots of lunar craters and open clusters. Clear skies dictate everything, so confirm current viewing hours before making the drive.
The move: Attend one of their twice-monthly public viewing nights, learn how to read a star map in their classroom, and use your smartphone to snap a souvenir photo directly through the 14-inch telescope's eyepiece.
- 📍 Champlin
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 6000 109th Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Anoka Hardware Store — After looking at Saturn, drive four miles north into Anoka to slide open a heavy 150-pound door behind a fake tool display for a late cocktail.
- Late Night @ the Heights — Pair an evening of stargazing with late-night cult cinema at this historic 1926 theater nine miles down the road.
- Rogue Buddha Gallery — Trade actual cosmic bodies for surreal, dark pop art down in Northeast Minneapolis after your rooftop session.
Good to know
Where is the observatory located?
It is located at Jackson Middle School, 6000 109th Ave N, in Champlin, Minnesota.
How can wheelchair users access the telescope view?
Because the dome is only reachable via stairs, the observatory coordinator built a custom relay scope system that delivers the telescope's sightlines downstairs for accessible viewing.
Can I take photos through the main telescope?
Yes. Visitors on public viewing nights are encouraged to align their smartphone camera lenses right against the 14-inch telescope's eyepiece to take photos of the moon and stars.
When is the facility open to the public?
The observatory hosts public viewing nights roughly twice a month. Schedule and sky conditions dictate openings, so check official announcements before going.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · kare11.com · elumenati.mystagingwebsite.com
last checked: 2026-07-21